Chamath Palihapitiya, the prominent venture capitalist and former Facebook executive, has been married twice. His first wife is Brigette Lau, whom he divorced in 2018, and his current wife is Nathalie Dompé, an Italian business executive he married in 2023. This article examines both marriages, detailing the professional accomplishments of each woman and the circumstances surrounding these relationships.
The First Marriage to Brigette Lau
Brigette Lau is a distinguished figure in the venture capital world in her own right. She served as a co-founder and partner at Social Capital, the venture firm she established alongside Chamath Palihapitiya . Her professional background includes experience as a sales executive at IBM and as an engineer at various Silicon Valley startups . Lau holds a degree in computer engineering with First Class Honors from the University of Waterloo and an MBA from Georgetown’s McDonough School of Business, demonstrating a strong technical and business foundation .
Lau’s career has been characterized by a focus on education technology and human capital investment. At Social Capital, she invested in companies attempting to improve education globally, leading the Series A round for Descomplica, a fast-growing education company in Brazil . She also served on the boards of Treehouse, Brilliant, and the nonprofit CodeNow . In addition to her institutional work, she is an angel investor and belongs to the Broadway Angels group in San Francisco, where she has made investments in companies like HintWater and BetterUp .
Beyond her professional life, Lau co-founded several local food concepts, including Tin Pot Creamery and Bird Dog, and is an active fundraiser for local schools and a supporter of women in art . After her time at Social Capital, she went on to co-found Firework Ventures, an early-stage fund that recently led a significant Series A funding round for TRANSFER VR, a startup using virtual reality for job training . This demonstrates her continued influence in the venture capital landscape.
Chamath Palihapitiya and Brigette Lau were married for over a decade and had three children together . During their marriage, they shared a family home in Lake Tahoe, which was featured in Elle Decor. In that interview, Palihapitiya described it as a beautiful but informal house where they could decompress and reset from the complexities of their lives . The couple lived what appeared to be a successful and integrated personal and professional life, co-founding and running Social Capital together.
However, their marriage came to an end when Palihapitiya filed for divorce on February 27, 2018, in San Mateo County Superior Court . The legal proceedings, which involved a marital settlement agreement and multiple amendments, were publicly documented . The divorce was finalized in 2018, marking the conclusion of their long-term partnership. The split coincided with a period of turbulence for Social Capital, with key partners leaving the firm, and Palihapitiya reflecting on his personal happiness and professional focus .
In a 2020 interview, Palihapitiya reflected on that time, stating he had been working constantly but was not happy, and that seeking happiness in his personal life led him to find it in his professional life as well . This period marked a significant personal and professional transition for him.Quick Bio: Chamath Palihapitiya
The Second Marriage to Nathalie Dompé
Following his divorce, Palihapitiya began a relationship with Nathalie Dompé, an Italian business executive. He married Dompé in a ceremony in Portofino, Italy, in July 2023 . The wedding took place at Castello Brown, a romantic fort with gardens that is owned by the municipality and open to visitors during the day, reflecting a choice for a location with historical charm rather than overt luxury . Approximately one hundred guests attended the wedding, reportedly including Elon Musk .
Nathalie Dompé is a highly accomplished businesswoman who serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Dompé farmaceutici, a prominent Italian pharmaceutical company . She is also the CEO of Dompé Holdings, a diversified European holding company with business interests in pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and hi-tech . Her professional role is significant, as she is responsible for the oversight, market development, and strategic approval of all new drugs launched by Dompé in the United States .
Dompé holds a degree in Business Administration from Bocconi University in Milan, a prestigious institution that has prepared her for her leadership role . She sits on the boards of several companies, including Movendo, Philogen, and Dompé farmaceutici, indicating her broad influence in the business community . In 2025, she consolidated the group’s center of gravity in the United States, making it the company’s primary market while maintaining production and industrial development in Italy .
Dompé and Palihapitiya have two children together: a son named Sergio, who is named after his maternal grandfather, and a daughter named Talita . They live together in the San Francisco Bay Area, where Palihapitiya is based for his business ventures . The couple’s home is reportedly located just four minutes away from where Palihapitiya’s ex-wife, Brigette Lau, resides . This close proximity is an interesting detail of their living arrangements.
How Chamath and Nathalie Met
The couple was reportedly introduced by Chelsea Clinton, who believed that despite their different backgrounds, they would be perfect for each other because they shared the same simplicity and capacity for emotion . Palihapitiya himself has discussed how he was taught that speaking about emotions was a sign of weakness, especially as an immigrant and a businessman, but that he discovered the importance of expressing himself openly .
Dompé, for her part, has been recognized for her work, including winning the Visionary Award from Women Corporate Directors, partly due to her activity with her foundation that awards scholarships to young researchers . The couple began dating in 2018, the same year Palihapitiya’s divorce from Lau was finalized . According to an Axios report, many employees at Social Capital speculated that Palihapitiya was in Europe with his new girlfriend, an Italian pharmaceutical executive, during his frequent absences from the office .
A Comparison of Two High-Achieving Women
Brigette Lau and Nathalie Dompé are both highly successful professionals in their respective fields. Lau is an accomplished venture capitalist focused on education technology and human capital, having co-founded Social Capital and Firework Ventures. She has a strong background in engineering and business, with degrees from the University of Waterloo and Georgetown University. Her career has been dedicated to investing in entrepreneurs and improving education globally.
Nathalie Dompé, on the other hand, is a business executive leading a major international pharmaceutical company. She is the CEO of Dompé farmaceutici and Dompé Holdings, overseeing a significant operation with a turnover of over 1.2 billion euros and approximately 950 employees worldwide . Her expertise lies in business development, pharmaceutical market strategy, and corporate governance. Dompé’s background in business administration from Bocconi University and her leadership roles demonstrate her ability to manage a global company.
Both women are active in their communities and have significant professional achievements. Lau is an active fundraiser for local schools and a supporter of women in art, while Dompé is involved with her family’s foundation and has won awards for her corporate leadership. Their careers reflect different paths to success, yet both have made substantial impacts in their respective industries.
Conclusion
Chamath Palihapitiya’s personal life features two distinct chapters, each defined by a partnership with a highly accomplished woman. His first marriage to Brigette Lau was a long-term partnership that spanned both personal and professional realms, ending in divorce in 2018. His current marriage to Nathalie Dompé, an Italian pharmaceutical executive, began in 2023 and represents a new chapter in his life. Both Lau and Dompé are successful leaders in their own right, with impressive careers in venture capital and business management. Palihapitiya’s relationships with these two women reflect his personal evolution and the different stages of his life and career.FAQs About Chamath Palihapitiya’s Wife
Who is Chamath Palihapitiya currently married to?
Chamath Palihapitiya is currently married to Nathalie Dompé, an Italian business executive who serves as the CEO of Dompé farmaceutici and Dompé Holdings. The couple married in July 2023 at Castello Brown in Portofino, Italy.
How many children does Chamath Palihapitiya have?
Chamath Palihapitiya has five children total. He has three children from his first marriage to Brigette Lau and two children, a son named Sergio and a daughter named Talita, with his current wife Nathalie Dompé.
Who was Chamath Palihapitiya’s first wife?
His first wife was Brigette Lau, a venture capitalist who co-founded Social Capital alongside Palihapitiya. She also co-founded Firework Ventures and holds degrees in computer engineering from the University of Waterloo and an MBA from Georgetown University.
Why did Chamath Palihapitiya and Brigette Lau divorce?
Palihapitiya filed for divorce on February 27, 2018, in San Mateo County Superior Court. The divorce was finalized that same year. While specific reasons were not publicly detailed, Palihapitiya later reflected on that period as a time when he was working constantly but felt unhappy.
How did Chamath Palihapitiya meet his current wife?
The couple was reportedly introduced by Chelsea Clinton, who believed their different backgrounds complemented each other. They began dating in 2018, the same year Palihapitiya’s divorce was finalized, and married five years later in Italy.
